All News

Phys.org / Turning one of the world's most difficult plastics into premium lubricant

Virginia Tech chemist and chemical engineer Guoliang "Greg" Liu and his lab have developed a process that converts the plastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) into polyalphaolefin, a key component in lubricants such as engine oil. ...

Aug 5, 2026
Phys.org / A new species of Ice Age toad discovered at La Brea Tar Pits: The spadefoot toad Spea labreae

For the first time, researchers have discovered a new species of extinct amphibian from Ice Age Los Angeles at La Brea Tar Pits: a spadefoot toad they have named Spea labreae. Only one other extinct Pleistocene amphibian ...

Aug 5, 2026
Medical Xpress / US sees a big jump in nausea cases among frequent marijuana users in the hospital

In the past year, the U.S. has seen a jump in frequent marijuana users going to the hospital with a nausea and vomiting condition, according to a report released Thursday.

Aug 7, 2026
Tech Xplore / Prototype glasses can turn infrared into color vision

The human eye, as good as it is, misses out on so much of the world because it is limited in what it can perceive. It can't see X-rays, ultraviolet rays or infrared light. While X-ray goggles are still the stuff of science ...

Aug 3, 2026
Phys.org / How simple amber lights could make nights safer for insects

Approximately 40% of insect species worldwide are thought to be in decline and under threat of extinction. Among the key causes are habitat loss, pollution and climate change. Another threat is artificial light from sources ...

Aug 2, 2026
Phys.org / Long-term study suggests landfill methane emissions are far higher than estimates

Methane is an especially potent greenhouse gas, causing much more warming than carbon dioxide on a unit-for-unit basis—and a new, uniquely long-term study of emissions at a New Jersey landfill suggests that estimates of methane ...

Aug 5, 2026
Tech Xplore / RL-100 framework helps robots refine learned tasks amid real-world disruptions

Robots are gradually making their way into a variety of settings, ranging from households to public spaces, offices, factories and health care facilities. Despite their potential, however, many existing robots do not perform ...

Aug 4, 2026
Medical Xpress / A new drug that can potentially overcome cancer therapy resistance

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have developed a drug called CS18 that disrupts cancer cells' ability to survive therapy. The findings, published in Science Advances, support exploring the possibility of using CS18 ...

Aug 5, 2026
Phys.org / Laid to rest with care: Ancient infants, perhaps twins, found in 1,200-year-old latrine

More than 1,000 years ago, two babies were tucked away in an abandoned Roman toilet channel. Yet, despite what the location suggests, they were cherished, not discarded.

Aug 2, 2026
Phys.org / Attosecond X-ray method maps early electron motions that trigger chemical reactions

All chemistry starts with a push from electrons. In the early moments of a chemical reaction, it's the movement of electrons that initiates the breaking of old chemical bonds and forging of new ones, transforming one molecule ...

Aug 5, 2026
Tech Xplore / Noninvasive AI-based system translates brain signals into written text

Some physical injuries and neurological conditions can temporarily or permanently impair movement, leaving some people unable to speak, type on keyboards or use electronic devices. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), systems ...

Aug 3, 2026
Medical Xpress / Erectile dysfunction drug used to treat enlarged prostate symptoms may raise glaucoma risk

An erectile dysfunction drug that is also used to treat symptoms, such as sudden urgency and frequency, associated with an enlarged prostate in men may heighten the risk of glaucoma, a serious eye condition, a large comparative ...

Aug 4, 2026